As Ed Reed prepares to take his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, teammates, friends and coaches from his Ravens, college and high school years reflect on the legacy of the legendary Ravens safety with their favorite memories and never-before-heard stories.
Larry Coker
As told to Glenn Clark
Larry Coker was the University of Miami’s offensive coordinator during Ed Reed’s first three years and the head coach during his senior season in 2001, when Reed delivered his famous halftime speech against Florida State.
[At halftime against Florida State], I think he started the conversation himself. He did that as well as [anyone]. I said, “This guy’s got a lot to say, so let’s let him talk.” … He was very passionate, but not like that [before]. … I can’t recall saying anything to him about it. We played and won — that’s all I can remember. Don’t say too much, right?
I think it meant a lot, just for the momentum and the energy and the passion that was felt and was given. I think it meant a lot to us. It’s one of those things that a coach could have said those things and done those things and not have had … the impact that Ed Reed had. Ed worked so hard, and he kind of walked the walk, and I think that meant a lot to the players.
Ed was pretty well driven himself. He didn’t need a lot to be self-motivated, but I think it meant a lot to him. He came to win championships, and to be able do that was special — special to all of us but definitely special to him.
To read more memories of No. 20, visit PressBoxOnline.com/Reed.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of University of Miami Athletics
Issue 255: June/July 2019